MACHINES

I am enjoying this one very much... completely instrumental - interlocking cyclical guitar lines often very angular and Fripp-ish.... the music is like a fusion of the pattern-based 80s King Crimson and the mid-70s Bruford/Wetton/Fripp incarnation. Some may say this is the fusion of those two periods of Crimson history that 90s+ Crimson delivered. However, the way this new Yang album differs and sets up its own stall is that, whilst heavy (and it does rock at times), it does not really carry the darkness of Crimson and, with less focus on lengthy atmospherics and tracks that average around the 5 minute mark, nothing outstays its welcome thus making for an pleasant and varied listen. That said there is intensity here with a high level of rigour in the construction of the compositions, the ensemble playing is very impressive indeed, there are lots of complex time signatures and there is a very clear and punchy production in evidence - it basically kicks ass on all levels. Aside from the obvious attraction this will hold to Crimson/Fripp fans I think this will also appeal to fans of the likes of the Bozzio Levin Stevens 'Situation Dangerous' album.... The only complaint one might make is that it certainly wears its debt to Fripp/Crimson shamelessly on its sleeve and can appear derivative, but lets face can any of us into the sort of music discussed on this site think of a better band from which to derive a satisfying stylistic blueprint?..... Heavier than their debut 'A Complex Nature' this is a most impressive second album from Yang.... Its a pleasure to be the first on this site to review it....